It has previously been reported, that there is only one mRNA of 4.3 kb for chicken N-cadherin in brain and heart and one gene [(1988) J. Cell Biol. 106, 873-881]. Using three synthetic oligonucleotide probes derived from the published chicken N-cadherin cDNA sequence we found hybridization to at least four mRNAs in chicken brain and heart. The measured sizes were 8.0, 4.7, 3.8, and 3.3 kb. The 8.0 kb mRNA is only seen in brain, and only when a cytoplasmic probe is employed. The 3.8 kb mRNA is only observed in heart.
